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Mountain Heritage Center

Join us at the Mountain Heritage Center and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage
of the southern Appalachians. Discover the rich traditions of the mountains, see the
Appalachian region from new perspectives, and come away with an enhanced understanding
of its land, culture, and people.

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Our History

Heritage and History

WCU was founded in August 1889 as a semi-public secondary school and chartered as
Cullowhee High School in 1891. The founder, Professor Robert Lee Madison, wanted to
provide an education for the young people in the region and train teachers to spread
education throughout the western part of the state. In 1893, the Legislature designated
the school as the first publicly funded normal school. Explore the story of our heritage and history.

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Educational Programs

The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU is a regional resource for education and research.
We connect people with local history and culture and build bridges between WCU and
the region.

The Center works with youth and adult audiences through specially designed gallery,
school, and outreach programs.